1. Irrigation and Water Management

• Adjust watering schedule: Cooler weather means it’s time to adjust the irrigation system to reduce watering frequency.
• Check Drainage: Inspect brow ditch drainage and grading before winter rains. Doing so will prevent pooling.

2. Plant Health and Pruning

• Tree and Shrub pruning: Dead, damaged, or overgrown branches should be removed to prevent hazards and make it easier to shape shrubs and trees in spring.
• Trimming: Trim plants (lightly) to protect growth. Focus on winter-hardy plant varieties.
• Weed Management: Mulching and using pre-emergent herbicides can keep weeds at bay. Common cool-season weeds in San Diego County include chickweed, dandelion, and clover.

3. Lawn Care Needs

• Limit Mowing: It’s best to keep grass slightly taller to protect it during winter.
• Aerate: Aerating in winter will reduce soil compaction. Aerating will also improve water/nutrient flow.
• Fertilize (if applicable): Common grass varieties in San Diego County include cool-season varieties, such as Fescue, or warm-season varieties, such as Bermuda/St. Augustine.
  • For cool-season grasses, focus on fertilizers higher in Potassium (N-P-K). Potassium builds cold hardiness and strong roots. Look for ratios such as 18-0-18, 15-0-15, or 30-0-10.
  • For warm-season grasses, focus on a 0-0-50 fertilizer or a similar ratio.

4. Landscape Maintenance Clean-Up 

• Clear Debris: Clean up debris, including rake leaves, twigs, etc. Remove dead grass and thatch from all areas. Dead grass and thatch provide habitat for pests.
• Prep Garden Beds: Clear debris and old annuals.

5. Winter Landscape Review

Schedule a winter landscape review with your HOA landscape maintenance company. Have the landscape crew review irrigation, drainage, and plant health.